Star Portrait-Lakshmi Prasanna

Lakshmi Prasanna was born on 8th October 1976 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She is an actress, singer, model, producer and a television host. She is the  only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and Vidya Devi.

Education

Bachelors in Theater from Oklahoma City University

Personal

Married and divorced Narayana. She married Andy Srinivasan in 2006.

Film Career

She has acted in the American Television series Las Vegas and Desperate Housewives. She has also appeared in commercials for Toyota, AARP and Chevrolet.In 2006, she acted, directed, and produced Perfect Lives, a short film that was showcased at the Wilshire Fine Arts Theater as part of the La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles.

She became popular for her role Sarasvati Kumar, the love interest of James Lesure in American television series Las Vegas. The show gave her the chance to work with many stars, such as James Caan and Sylvestor Stallone etc. She starred in English films The Ode and Dead Air.

Film debut India

In Tollywood she starred in Anaganaga O Dheerudu, Dongala Mutha, Department, Ukodatara Ulki Padatara, Gundello Godari.

Producer

She produced Nenu Meeku Telusa, Jhummandi Naadam, Ukodatara Ulikipadatara, Gundello Godari.


Nandi Awards

    Nandi Award for Best Villain - 2011 - Anaganaga O Dheerudu

Other Awards

    The Hyderabad Times Film Awards 2011 - Best Actor in a Negative Role - Anaganaga O Dheerudu
    CineMAA Awards 2012 - Best Supporting Actress - Anaganaga O Dheerudu

She made her Kollywood debut  in Kadal (2013) as Christian Village Belle.

Star Portrait-Bhanumati

Personal

Bhanumati is a popular film actress, director, music director, singer, producer, book writer and songs writer. Most of her works are in Telugu and Tamil languages. She was born on 7th Sep, 1925 at Doddavaram, AP as third child to Saraswatamma and Bommaraju Venkata Subbaiah. Bhanumati ( means ‘shining like the sun’ in Sanskrit).

During the shooting of the film Krishna Prema, she met P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, an assistant director for that film. He was a film producer, director and editor of Telugu and Tamil Films. The couple later married on 8 August 1943 and later launched a popular production company, Bharani Pictures on their son's name.

She died at the age of 80 years in Chennai on 24th Dec, 2005

Career

She grew watching her father performing stage shows. Her father was fond of classical music and gave her early training in music.Bhanumati made her foray into the industry in 1935, and acted in over 200 films in tamil and telugu. She was popular as Ashtavadhani by the film industry people as she was a writer, actor, director, producer, singer, music director, editor and studio owner. She also had a good knowledge of Astrology and philosophy.

Progress

She made her debut  in Telugu cinema in 1939 as Kalindi in Vara Vikrayam (Telugu), directed by C. Pullaiah. She had acted in Malathi Madhavam, Dharma Patni and Bhaktimala. Her first popular film was Krishna Prema. Her next popular film was Swargaseema, a milestone film in her career.

Popular Films

Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari and Anthastulu. In 1953, she made her directorial debut with Chandirani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi). Her last film was made in 1998, entitled Pelli Kanuka.

Popular Songs

She was adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She gave voice to her songs despite it being the norm to use playback singers for actors. Some of her songs are still popular like Pilichina biguvatara, Kila Kila Navvulu, Oh Pavurama, Preme Nerama. She also provided music to a lot of her films.

Memberships

 She was a Member of State Film Awards Committee for two years. She was also a Visiting Professor at the Film Institute for one year. She was Member of Children Film Society for 5 years, from 1965 to 1970.

Awards

 C. N. Annadurai gave her a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" (means Grammar for acting) that suits her aptly. Even veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan and the then Chief minister of Tamilnadu M.G.Ramachandran were afraid on the sets of her bold and prolific versatility.

Social Service

Bhanumati was associated with numerous social service organisations. She herself was  was the founder member and treasurer of Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc., Chicago for lifelong starting from 1963. She was a life member of the 'Red Cross Society'. She established an educational institution named as "Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School" at Saligramam, Chennai providing free education to the poor.

Star Portrait-Nayanatara

Diana Mariam Kurien is popularly known by her stage name Nayanthara is a South Indian actress,who has acted in many Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. After several commercial successes such as “Chandramukhi”, “Ghajini”, “Billa” and “Sri Rama Rajayam”, Nayanthara has established herself as one of the most promising, sought-after actresses of South India. She was born to Kurian Kodiyattu & Omana Kurian in the year 18th November 1984 at Bangalore, Karnataka. She has bother Leno.

Actually Nayantara belongs to a Orthodox Syrian Christian Malayali family. Since her father was working in Indian air force, she had the luck to study in different parts of north India. After her father retired from the service, they settled in Kerala. Nayantara completed her educations at institutions like Kendriya Vidhyala, Balikamadam Girls Higher Secondary School & Marthoma College, Thiruvalla for her Bachelor's degree in English Literature. She was chosen 1st runner up in Best model Kerala 2003 which was conducted by Thrissur Advertising Club. This gave her few opportunities in modelling for advertisements. While at college, she was spotted by director Satyan Anthikkad and cast opposite Jayaram in “Mansinakkare”.

Film Career.

Nayantara entered the film industry by acting in Malayalam film “Manassinakkare” directed by Sathyan Anthikkad which was released in the year 2003. After that she acted in the film “Vismayathumbathu” a Malayalam film directed by Fazil which was released in the year 2004 & here she played the role of a wandering soul, who got associated with Mohanlal. Her next film was “Natturajavu” directed by Shaji Kailas & released in the year 2004. She subsequently started  appearing in Tamil and Telugu films. In 2005, she was cast opposite Sarath Kumar in Hari's “Ayya” debuting in the Tamil film industry.

While still shooting for “Ayya” she was selected to portray the love interest of Rajinikanth in the comedy horror film “Chandramukhi” after its director P. Vasu's wife had seen “Manassinakkare” and recommended her. The film became one of the most successful Tamil films in history, running for over 800 days in theatres, eventually turning Nayantara  into one of the most-sought after actresses in Tamil. Later that year her third Tamil film, A. R. Murugadoss' “Ghajini”” in which she played a secondary female character, again was a commercially highly successful venture.

However, she later told that appearing in “Ghajini” was a big mistake and the "worst decision" she ever took. Nayantara then accepted to appear in an item number as herself in the Perarasu-directed masala film “Sivakasi” starring Vijay. Her first release in 2006 was “Kalvanin Kadhali”. She next made her debut in Telugu, starring in the film “Lakshmi”, following which she performed in “Boss” alongside Venkatesh and Nagarjuna respectively. Three Tamil films in which she enacted the lead female characters “Vallavan”,  “Thalaimagan” and “E” were released simultaneously in 2006. All three films opened to mixed reviews.  She regained her star billing in  Kollywood acting opposite Ajith Kumar in Vishnuvardhan direction gangster film “Billa” in 2007.

A remake of the same-titled 1980 Tamil film, it went on to become a blockbuster success at the box office. In 2008 she had five releases, four of which were in Tamil. Her first release, the family entertainer “Yaaradi Nee Mohini” was critically acclaimed and one of the highest grossing Tamil films of the year. Her subsequent releases, however “Kuselan” opposite Rajnikanth, “Sathyam” opposite Vishal and “Villu” opposite Vijay, were all unsuccessful, while “Aegan” became an average grosser. Her only successful release in 2009 was “Aadhavan” with Surya which released in October of that year. In 2010, all her releases, which featured her as the female lead, turned out to be commercial successes.

She delivered five super hit films in the four Southern languages  Malayalam film “Bodyguard”, “Adurs” and “Simha” in Telugu, “Boss Engira Bhaskaran” in Tamil and “Super” in Kannada. The latter three, in particular, were exceptionally successful, with “Simha” becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year. Her performances in Simha, Boss Engira Bhaskaran and Super eventually fetched her nominations for the Film Fare Best Actress Award in the respective languages. She also starred in Shyamaprasad's critically acclaimed Malayalam film “Elektra”.

Her performance was well appreciated by critics when it was screened at the International Film Festival of India.The film was also screened at the Dubai International Film Festival. Her only release in 2011 as Telugu mythological film “Sri Rama Rajyam” by Bapu, in which she played the role of Sita. She received critical acclaim for her performance in the film. Subsequently, she was awarded with the most Prestigious Nandi Award for Best Actress and Film fare Award for Best Telugu Actress.

However, after her break-up with Prabhu Deva, she made a comeback she began shooting for Krish's
“Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum” with Rana Daggubati in 2012, after an 11-months vacation. Her first release in 2013 was Greeku Veerudu alongside “Akkineni Nagarjuna”. She is also acting in Tamil films “Valai” opposite Ajith Kumar under direction of Vishnuvardhan, “Raja Rani” opposite Arya and “Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal” opposite Udhayanidhi Stalin which is directed by S. R. Prabhakaran.

Awards and Honours

Awards Won

In 2003 Asianet Award for Best Female New Face of the Year for “Manassinakkare”.

In 2007 Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine      

In 2007 Sunfeast Isaiaruvi Tamil Music Award for Best Actress

In 2008 Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for Tamil film “Yaaradi Nee Mohini”.

In 2010 Asianet Award for Best Actress for “Bodyguard”.

In 2011 Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 Nandi Award for Best Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 CineMAA Award for Best Actress Jury for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 SIIMA Award for Best Telugu Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 Bharatamuni Film Award for Best Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 Ugadi Puraskar Award for Best Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

In 2011 Santhosham South Film Award for Best Actress for the film “Sri Rama Rajyam”.

Awards Nominations

In 2007 Film Fare Award for Best Telugu Actress for “Tulasi”

In 2007 Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for “Billa”

In 2008 Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for “Yaaradi Nee Mohini”

In 2009 Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for “Aadhavan”.

In 2009 Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for “Boss Engira Bhaskaran”.

In 2010 Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress “Boss Engira Bhaskaran”.

In 2011 Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress for “Simha”

In 2011 Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress “Super”

Star Portrait-Tamanna

Tamanna Bhatia who is well known as South Milky Beauty Tamanna is a south Indian model and actress who started her film career through her debut film in Hindi film “Chand Sa Roshan Chehra” but she was not recognized at that time. Later on she debuted into South films where she made her own mark in entire film industry.   Tamanna was born to Santhosh Bhatia and Rajani Bhatia on 21st December 1989 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her father is a financial consultant and mother is Home maker. She started acting at the age of 13, she did her schooling in Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust School, Juhu, Mumbai and she is currently pursuing a BA degree at National College, Mumbai through distance education. She has a brother, Anand Bhatia. She can speak Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and English. Her real name is Tamanna later she changed her screen name for numerological reasons, varying it slightly to Tamannaah.  First she was spotted at her school’s annual day function and offered the lead role which she took up. She also appeared in the music video of ‘Lafzon Mein Keh Na Saku by Abhijeet Sawant’, the winner of the first Indian Idol. Tamanna has done many ads in Tamil for big companies such as Shakti Masala, Saravana Stores and RMKV. She also did few music albums before she entered the film industry. She stars in the commercial of Sun Direct.

Film Journey

Tamanna started her film journey through a Hindi film “Chand Sa Roshan Chehra” at the age of 13 years and made her debut in Tamil film industry with “Kedi” which did not do well at the box office. Her debut film in Telugu is “Sri” in which she played the leading female role opposite Manoj Kumar and in the following year she appeared in her first Tamil film “Kedi”. Her Role in Telugu film "Happy Days” brought her huge success in Tollywood. Her performance in the role of Madhu in "Happy Days" brought her critical acclaim. Film “Kalloori” in Tamil brought her craze in Kollywood too. ”. Presently she is acquiring popularity as a heroine in both Tollywood and Kollywood industries. After being part of the several commercially successful films she emerged as a leading contemporary actress in film industry. She staged a successful comeback in Tollywood in 2011 with the romance film “100% Love” in 2011 which won her several accolades. She was subsequently acted in several high-profile projects like “Oosaravelli”, “Rachcha”and “Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu” which became a block buster at box office. She established herself as one of Tollywood's leading modern actresses.  After establishing herself in Tollywood and Kollywood she again re-entered into Bollywood with the film “Himmatwala” opposite Ajay Devagab but the film didn’t ran well at box office and Tammana was not recognised in proper way so, than she is back to pavilion and she is currently busy with Telugu and Tamil films.  Her current release “Thadaka” is running with an above average talk at the box office.   

Brand Endorsement

Tamannaah is endorsing popular brands like Celkon Mobiles, Fanta and Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap. She is also the brand ambassador of the Salem based jewellery shop AVR and Khazana Jewellery. Before entering the film industry, she also acted in Tamil advertisements like Shakthi Masala, Power Soap and Sun Direct.She also worked with Virat Kohli recently for an ad shoot of celkon mobile.

Award Nominations

She nominated five times for Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the films, Tamil film “Kalloori” in  2007, Telugu film “Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam” in 2009,Tamil film “Kanden Kadhalai” in 2009, Tamil Film “Paiyaa” in 2010, Telugu film “100% Love” in  2011

She nominated three times for Vijay Awards  for Best Actress  for the Tamil films “Kanden Kadhalai” in  2009, “Ayan”  in 2009, “Paiyaa” in 2010

Awards Received

She won the CineMAA Award for Best Actress  for the Telugu film “100% Love” in 2011

She won the Hyderabad Times Film Award for the Telugu film “100% Love”

She won the Santhosham Awards as Best Actress for the performance in “100% Love”.

She won the Kalaimaamani Awards  By Tamil Nadu Government

She won the South Scope Award for Best Tamil Actress  for the Tamil Film “Kanden Kadhalai”